Odor control appliance

ABSTRACT

A gas appliance having means for introducing a selected fluid to the pilot or burner flame for dissipation into the air as an odorizer, air freshener or fumigant.

United States Patent Scheid [54] ODOR CONTROL APPLIANCE [72] Inventor: William J. Scheid, Allentown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Ratheon Company [22] Filed: Oct. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 84,693

[52] US. Cl ..431/253, 126/39 R, 431/4 [51] Int. Cl. 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..43 l/253, 4; 126/39 51 Oct. 24, 1972 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,470,863 10/1969 Payne ..126/59.5

3,163,699 12/1964 Staunton ..43l/4X Primary Examiner--Edward G. Favors Attorney-Harold A. Murphy and Joseph D. Pannone ABSTRACT A gas appliance having means for introducing a selected fluid to the pilot or burner flame for dissipation into the air as an odorizer, air freshener or fumigant.

18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnnI24 I972 3' 700 37 8 sum 1 or 3 SELECTOR 33 DEVICE PATENTED 0m 24 1972 SHEET 2 [IF 3 PATENTED 0m 24 I972 sum 3 or 3 f BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Atmosphere within a room or outdoor area may be scented, odorized, fumigated or freshened according to conventional means by use of tanks or containers of various fluids or solids located within the area for the desired air treatment. Such fluids, which may be gas or liquid, are dispensed by mere subjection of the fluid to the surrounding air or by dispensing the fluid into the air by means of an aerosol canister or the like. In other cases a solid material may be disposed directly in the air to be treated and may, if desired, be subjected to heat, as a candle, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a novel apparatus which utilizes a gas appliance provided with a supply of one or more sources of fluids such as odorants, insecticides, bacteriocides, fumigants, etc., and means for selectively introducing the fluids under pressure into the gas stream flowing to the flame of a pilot burner or main burner where it may be consumed by the flame and thus dispensed into the air.

The gas appliance is provided with piping which interconnects the sources with the selected dispensing burner and with suitable controls which maybe conveniently located as on a backsplash for manual selection of the desired fluid.

In one embodiment of the invention gas is supplied under pressure to the fluid containers for providing the means for impelling the fluid toward the dispensing burner. In another embodiment the fluid dispensers are of the aerosol type which dispense fluid without external pressure means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a gas range embodying a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the odorant supply and injecting system;

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view through a rotary selector device;

' FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the rotary selector device and control means therefor;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the portion of the backsplash panel containing a slidable selecting device;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the slidable selecting device;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view of a modification of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the selector operating mechanism of the device shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, a gas range 10 of a type commonly found in a home is shown in FIG. 1, which range has been modified to include the odorizing system embodying this invention. The range 10 is shown as including a cooktop 12 which is partially broken away. Within the cooktop 12 are two spaced wells 14, only one of which is illustrated, each containing a pair of burners 16 of any conventional type which are supplied with gas fuel by suitable well-known means not shown. The burners 16 are manually controlled by knobs 18 at the front of the range in a conventional manner. The back of the range is provided with an upright backsplash 20, and the cooktop 12 may be located above an oven to which access is had as by door 22.

Each pair of burners 16 are adapted to be ignited, when control knobs 18 are selectively operated, by a respective pilot flame which continuously burns in a pilot burner 24. In FIG. 1 only one pilot burner 24 is shown beneath the removed portion of cooktop 12. In alternative structures, however, one burner may be located centrally beneath the cooktop for ignition of all the burners, if desired.

In FIG. 2 there is shown schematically a gas supply system which includes a manifold 26 connected by pipe 28 to a source of gas fuel. The pilot burner 24 is c0nnected by a pipe 30 to the manifold 26 whereby gas is fed into the burner 24 through a shut-off valve 32 of conventional type. The main burners 16 and other pilot light are also supplied with gas through pipes 34 from the manifold 26, with shut-off valves and control valves being provided therefor as is well known.

In accordance with this invention canisters or tanks 36 of a selected variety of odorants, insecticides, bacteriocides, fumigants or the like are conveniently located on the range and are individually connected to the manifold 26 by a common main pipe 38 with branch pipes 40, 40a and 40b leading to the respective tanks 36.

The ingredients in the tanks 36 are in fluid form, liquid or gas, and provide means for supplying to the area atmosphere any selected one of a number of odors or fresheners. In accordance with one important aspect of the invention, the fluid is supplied to a pilot flame or a main burner flame so that it may be incinerated, evaporated or similarly consumed or dissipated into the atmosphere. It has been found that a flame is a particularly effective means for this purpose.

Additional capped filler pipes 42, 42a and 42b are carried by or attached to the tanks 36 so that they may be filled when desired with liquids.

A particularly convenient location for the tanks 36 is on or in the backsplash 20, as shown in FIG. 1, with the tiller pipes 42 being readily accessible at the rear of the range. The feed pipes may be located in any convenient manner within the body of the range.

It will be apparent that gas from the manifold 26 will flow under pressure into the tanks 36 through a oneway shut-ofl valve 44 which will be closed to reduce the gas pressure when the tanks are being refilled with liquids. The gas entering the tanks under pressure will thus tend to urge the liquids out of the tanks through respective tubes 46, 46a and 46b to the burner which has been selected as the odorant dispensing burner.

It is generally considered that one of the pilot burners 24 is more convenient for this purpose, and the invention is shown as applied to a pilot burner. The pilot burner 24 may be of any suitable form which includes a burner tube48 having a nozzle or outlet end 50 at which a pilot flame is produced. The burner tube 48 is connected to manifold 26 by the pipe or tube 30 and valve 32 whereby gas is continuously supplied to maintain the flame in the pilot burner.

The selected odorant is supplied to the pilot burner through a selector device 52, to be described, and thence through tube 54 which is suitably connected by means such as a T-fitting 56 into pilot feed pipe 30. Thus, the odorant is mixed with the gas flowing into the pilot burner 24.

Any suitable and convenient means may be provided for selecting the particular fluid which is to be dispensed into the atmosphere. In FIG. 2 the selector device is indicated diagrammatically by box 52. However, in FIGS. 3 and 4 a hand-operated selector device 58 is shown mounted on the front panel 60 of a backsplash. A hollow cylinder 62 carries a circumferential supporting ring 64 at one end which interfits behind and is supported by portions of a number of small brackets 66 which are welded or otherwise fixed to the panel 60. Within the cylinder 62 is a rotor 68 having a shaft 70 at one end which extends through an opening in the panel and carries a knob 72 on its outer end. Knob 72 may include a dial 74 or pointer for registering with suitable indicia on the panel surface.

The rotor 68 is provided with a cavity 76 into which one end of tube or line 54 is rotatably connected. The connection 78 is not shown in detail herein but need be any suitable rotary connection which will not leak gas. Gas pressure from line 38 acting upon the fluid in tanks 36 will force the fluid through the tubes 46-46a46b to the selector device 58. Tubes 46, 46a and 46b are each individually connected to respective openings 80, 80a and 80b in the fixed cylinder 62. In order to connect a selected one of the inlet tubes 46-46a-46b to the cavity 76 in rotor 68 and thence to outlet tube 54, the rotor is provided with a single passageway 82 through its sidewall. The openings 80-80a-80b are disposed in a common plane around the circumference of the cylinder 62 and are aligned with passageway 82 so that as rotor 68 is rotated the passageway 82 will selectively move into communicating relation with the openings in the cylinder. When an opening is aligned with the passageway, the fluid in that particular opening will be permitted to enter the cavity 76 and pass out through the tube 54 to the pilot burner.

In FIG. the selector device 58 is indirectly operated by manipulation of a slide member 84 which is shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. Slide member 84 is mounted for sliding movement on the back of panel 60 in a manner to be described and has the opposite ends of a cable loop 86 attached to its respective ends, the cable passing through eyelets 88 carried by arms 90 of suitable standards or brackets 92 which are fixed to a base or shelf 94 within the backsplash. Thus the cable 86 slides freely within the eyelets 88 when the slide member 84 is moved.

The cable 86 is wound around a shaft 96 which extends upwardly from the rotor 68 which rotates within the cylinder 62 so that the passageway 82 therein is permitted to selectively become aligned with one of the openings 80-80a-80b in the cylinder. Thus, fluid entering the selected opening from its respective inlet tube cavity 76 and thence through the coupling 78 into the outlet pipe 54 from which it passes to the pilot burner.

The selector device indicated by numeral 52 in FIG. 1 may take other quite different forms. Another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 6 9 wherein the rotary control device is replaced by a sliding control device. Attached to the rear of the front panel of the backsplash 20 is a guide frame 89 (FIGS. 7 and 8) in which the slide member 84 is disposed. The slide member 84 is a rectangular body having a central cavity in which is located a vertically movable block 100 (FIG. 7) having a protruding arm 102 which extends forwardly through an opening 104 in panel 60. The opening 104 is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the range top 12, and is provided with a series of spaced depressed slots 106 in its lower side. Arm 102 carries a knob or tab 108 by which the device may be manually manipulated. Within the cavity in slide member 84 is disposed spring means comprising one or more compression springs 110 which engage the upper edge of block 100 and urge it downwardly within the cavity, together with arm 102 and knob 108. In order to move the slide member 84 longitudinally of supporting frame 98, knob 108 is grasped and lifted to disengage arm 102 from the particular slot 106 within which it rests, whereupon the arm and block, and consequently the slide member 84, may be moved to a position where the arm 102 may be disposed in another selected one of the slots 106. Above each slot there is disposed a lable 112 to indicate which of the particular canisters or tanks 36 is to be utilized. One slot, of course, will be engaged by the arm 102 when the device is in the off position.

Attached to one side of slide member 84 is a cable 1 14 which is run through a pair of eyelets 1 l6 and then redirected so that the opposite end may be suitably attached to a plate 118, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Plate 1 18 is adapted to move in the direction of the arrow, as indicated in dotted outline in FIG. 9, in response to movement of knob 108 as described. An apertured member is disposed in close abutting relation with one side of rnovable plate 118 and contains apertures 122 therein corresponding in number to the number of tanks 36 which are utilized in the system. The outlet pipes 46-46a-46b from the tanks 36 have ends communicating with respective apertures 122 so that fluid from the tanks may flow through the pipes and through the apertures 122 to plate 118. On the opposite side of plate 118 is disposed a housing 124 which is provided with a cavity 126 open on the side facing the plate 1 18. Outlet pipe 54 extends from the bottom of the housing 124 and is in communication with the cavity 126 therein so that fluids may pass from the apertures 122 in member 120 through opening 126 and cavity 126 out through pipe 54 when the plate 118 permits. Plate 118 is a substantially solid member which blocks passage of fluids from member 120 into the housing 124 when the knob 108 is disposed in off position. The unit may be assembled in proper operating condition by any suitable means so that plate 118 may slide between member 120 and housing 124. Brackets 128 in FIG. 7 are illustrative of such means. The actual means for preventing escape of fluids between the sliding surfaces is not disclosed herein but may take any satisfactory form.

In order to allow fluids to selectively pass from apertures 122 into housing 124, the plate 118 is provided with a single opening 130 (FIG. 9) whichis adapted to become aligned with the respective apertures 122 when the knob or tab 108 is moved to corresponding slots 106. In this way the opening 130 may become aligned with only one aperture 122 at any one time, and thereby selection is made of the particular fluid which is to be directed into the housing 124, from which it will pass to the pilot burner.

The sliding plate 118 is preferably mounted upon the .back of panel 60 by means of supporting frame or housing 132 (FIG. 8) within one end of which it is adapted to slide, the housing 132 being affixed to panel 60 as by a bracket 134. Within the housing 132 one end of a spring 136 is fixed with its other end being connected i will have retracted the plate 118 to its innermost position in housing 132. However, when the knob 108 is moved to other selected notches 106, such movement will be exerted by a force against the tension of spring 136, whereupon the spring will function to return the device to off position automatically when the knob 108 is returned to the off position.

It will be apparent that any of the above described embodiments will function efficiently to selectively control the flow of a fluid from the supply tanks to the pilot burner where the fluid will be incinerated or otherwise distributed into the atmosphere.

It will also be apparent that in accordance withthe present invention the fluid in tanks 36 may be in the form of a gas, whereupon the gas passing through pipe 38 and branches 40 into the tanks 36 will mix with the gases in the tanks and will act as a carrier therefor. Then upon selection of the particular tank to be interconnected with the pilot bumer, the fuel gas will act as a carrier for the odorant gas and will flow therewith through outlet pipe 54 into the fuel line 30 leading to the pilot burner 24 as described. in such a gas, the T- fitting 56 may be suitably constructed so that flow of gas through pipe 30 will aid by inspiration the efficient flow of the gases from pipe 54 to the burner.

It will be apparent that the present invention can be readily adapted to the use of odorant containers of the aerosol type. In such a case the gas line 38, branch lines 40 40a4 ql2 and valvefiQ may be omitted becausethe fluid or gas within the container is pressurized. In this embodiment of the invention the T-fitting 56 will be even more efficient if it is designed in the manner of a venturi for increased inspiration.

It will be further apparent from the foregoing description that all of the objectives of this invention have been achieved by the system shown and described. It will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. Therefore, all matter shown and described is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A gas appliance having a burner, a supply of fluid odorant carried by said appliance, conduit means connecting said supply with the burner, and means for in- 6 jecting odorantfrom said supply through the conduit means to the burner for consumption thereby.

2. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supply comprises a plurality of tanks, and said injecting means includes selector means for selectively connecting the tanks with the burner.

3. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 2 wherein the selector means is connected to the conduit means, tubes connect respective tanks to the selector means, and the selector means includes movable means for intercepting flow of odorant from the tubes to' the conduit means and permitting discharge of odorant selectively from the tubes to the conduit means.

4. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 3 wherein said selector means includes a fixed member to which said tubes are connected, and a movable member adjacent the fixed member and connected with the conduit means and movable'into and out of blocking relation with respect to passage of odorants from the tubes through the fixed member to the conduit means.

5. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fixed member is a cylinder having apertures therein to which said tubes are respectively connected, and the movable member is rotatable within the cylinder and has duct means selectively alignable with said apertures upon rotation of the member for connecting a selected aperture with the conduit means.

6. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 3 wherein said selector means comprises a slidable member movable to position an aperture therein in selective alignment with said tubes, and said conduit means comprises a fixed member positioned to receive odorant from a selected tube through the aperture when the slidable member is positioned with the aperture aligned therewith.

7. A gas appliance having a burner, piping connecting said burner to a source of gas fuel to be burned at said burner, a supply of fluid odorant carried by said appliance, conduit means connecting said supply to said piping, and means for injecting odorant from said supply into said conduit means whereby odorant from the supply will flow through the conduit means into the piping for mixing with the fuel flow to the burner.

8. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 7 wherein said supply comprises a plurality of tanks, and said injecting means includes selector means for selectively connecting the tanks with said conduit means.

9. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 8 wherein the selector means is connected to the conduit means, tubes connect the respective tanks to the selector means, and the selector means includes movable means for intercepting flow of odorant from the tubes to the conduit means and pemiitting discharge of odorant selectively from the tubes to the conduit means.

10. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 9 wherein said selector means includes a fixed member to which said tubes are connected, and a movable member adjacent the fixed member, and connected with the conduit means and movable into and out of blocking relation with respect to passage of odorants from the tubes through the fixed member to the conduit means.

11. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 10 wherein said fixed member is a cylinder having apertures therein to which said tubes are respectively connected, and the movable member is rotatable within the cylinder and has duct means selectively alignable with said apertures upon rotation of the member for connecting a selected aperture with the conduit means.

12. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 9 wherein said selector means comprises a slidable member movable to position an aperture therein in selective alignment with said tubes, and said conduit means comprises a fixed member positioned to receive odorant from a selected tube through the aperture when the slidable member is positioned with the aperture aligned therewith.

13. A gas appliance comprising a burner, manifold means for connection of the appliance to a source of gas fuel, first piping connecting said burner to said manifold, a supply of fluid odorant carried by said appliance, conduit means connecting said supply to the first piping, second piping connecting said supply to the manifold whereby gas under pressure is injected into said supply for urging said odorant therein into said conduit means; and control means for controlling the flow of odorant from said supply to the conduit means.

14. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 13 wherein said supply comprises a plurality of tanks, and said control means includes selector means for selectively connecting the tanks with said conduit means.

15. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 14 wherein the selector means is connected to the conduit means, tubes connect the respective tanks to the selector means, and the selector means includes movable means for intercepting flow of odorant from the tubes to the conduit means and permitting discharge of odorant selectively from the tubes to the conduit means.

16. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 15 wherein said selector means includes a fixed member to which said tubes are connected, and a movable member adjacent the fixed member and connected with the conduit means and movable into and out of blocking relation with respect to passage of odorants from the tubes through the fixed member to the conduit means.

17. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 16 wherein said fixed member is a cylinder having aperturestherein to which said tubes are respectively connected, and the movable member is rotatable 'within the cylinder and has duct means selectively alignable with said apertures upon rotation of the member for connecting a selected aperture with the conduit means.

18. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 15 wherein said selector means comprises a slidable member movable to position an aperture therein in selective alignment with said tubes, and said conduit means comprises a fixed member positioned to receive odorant from a selected tube through the aperture when the slidable member is positioned with the aperture aligned therewith. 

1. A gas appliance having a burner, a supply of fluid odorant carried by said appliance, conduit means connecting said supply with the burner, and means for injecting odorant from said supply through the conduit means to the burner for consumption thereby.
 2. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supply comprises a plurality of tanks, and said injecting means includes selector means for selectively connecting the tanks with the burner.
 3. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 2 wherein the selector means is connected to the conduit means, tubes connect respective tanks to the selector means, and the selector means includes movable means for intercepting flow of odorant from the tubes to the conduit means and permitting discharge of odorant selectively from the tubes to the conduit means.
 4. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 3 wherein said selector means includes a fixed member to which said tubes are connected, and a movable member adjacent the fixed member and connected with the conduit means and movable into and out of blocking relation with respect to passage of odorants from the tubes through the fixed member to the conduit means.
 5. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fixed member is a cylinder having apertures therein to which said tubes are respectively connected, and the movable member is rotatable within the cylinder and has duct means selectively alignable with said apertures upon rotation of the member for connecting a selected aperture with the conduit means.
 6. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 3 wherein said selector means comprises a slidable member movable to position an aperture therein in selective alignment with said tubes, and said conduit means comprises a fixed member positioned to receive odorant from a selected tube through the aperture when the slidable member is positioned with the aperture aligned therewith.
 7. A gas appliance having a burner, piping connecting said burner to a source of gas fuel to be burned at said burner, a supply of fluid odorant carried by said appliance, conduit means connecting said supply to said piping, and means for injecting odorant from said supply into said conduit means whereby odorant from the supply will flow through the conduit means into the piping for mixing with the fuel flow to the burner.
 8. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 7 wherein said supply comprises a plurality of tanks, and said injecting means includes selector means for selectively connecting the tanks with said conduit means.
 9. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 8 wherein the selector means is connected to the conduit means, tubes connect the respective tanks to the selector means, and the selector means includes movable means for intercepting flow of odorant from the tubes to the conduit means and permitting discharge of odorant selectively from the tubes to the conduit means.
 10. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 9 wherein said selector means includes a fixed member to which said tubes are connected, and a movable member adjaCent the fixed member, and connected with the conduit means and movable into and out of blocking relation with respect to passage of odorants from the tubes through the fixed member to the conduit means.
 11. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 10 wherein said fixed member is a cylinder having apertures therein to which said tubes are respectively connected, and the movable member is rotatable within the cylinder and has duct means selectively alignable with said apertures upon rotation of the member for connecting a selected aperture with the conduit means.
 12. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 9 wherein said selector means comprises a slidable member movable to position an aperture therein in selective alignment with said tubes, and said conduit means comprises a fixed member positioned to receive odorant from a selected tube through the aperture when the slidable member is positioned with the aperture aligned therewith.
 13. A gas appliance comprising a burner, manifold means for connection of the appliance to a source of gas fuel, first piping connecting said burner to said manifold, a supply of fluid odorant carried by said appliance, conduit means connecting said supply to the first piping, second piping connecting said supply to the manifold whereby gas under pressure is injected into said supply for urging said odorant therein into said conduit means, and control means for controlling the flow of odorant from said supply to the conduit means.
 14. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 13 wherein said supply comprises a plurality of tanks, and said control means includes selector means for selectively connecting the tanks with said conduit means.
 15. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 14 wherein the selector means is connected to the conduit means, tubes connect the respective tanks to the selector means, and the selector means includes movable means for intercepting flow of odorant from the tubes to the conduit means and permitting discharge of odorant selectively from the tubes to the conduit means.
 16. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 15 wherein said selector means includes a fixed member to which said tubes are connected, and a movable member adjacent the fixed member and connected with the conduit means and movable into and out of blocking relation with respect to passage of odorants from the tubes through the fixed member to the conduit means.
 17. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 16 wherein said fixed member is a cylinder having apertures therein to which said tubes are respectively connected, and the movable member is rotatable within the cylinder and has duct means selectively alignable with said apertures upon rotation of the member for connecting a selected aperture with the conduit means.
 18. A gas appliance as set forth in claim 15 wherein said selector means comprises a slidable member movable to position an aperture therein in selective alignment with said tubes, and said conduit means comprises a fixed member positioned to receive odorant from a selected tube through the aperture when the slidable member is positioned with the aperture aligned therewith. 